shape.com talks yoga trends with 216 owner, nicole katz

“Yoga, at its essence, is a means to peace,” says Nicole Katz, cofounder and instructor at Yoga 216, a New York City studio (complete with spa treatments too!) that cultivates an intimate, quiet (yet still sweat-dripping!) practice in its six-person, heavily personalized classes.”

The magazine also picked up on the reason behind our intimate classes:

“[The studio] has skipped out on the high-volume, heavy-bass music trend, in order to keep classes therapeutic, anatomy-based, and safe—the larger these classes get and the more elements added to the basic practice, the less direct attention students get from instructors during class, Katz believes. “Classes are often too large for teachers to get to people who need help before it’s time to change poses in these very fast-paced classes. Our industry needs to stand up and take action in this department,” she says.

That’s why she recommends all yoga instructors first and foremost undergo proper anatomy training to understand the way the body moves to be able to properly assist students and help avoid injury—that way, they can safely and successfully escape into their Zen zone.”

Do you have a preference for your own yoga practice? Trendy music that takes a front seat, silence, or something in between?

Here at Yoga 216, we know that if it works for you, it’s right for you, so trust your gut!